Larger Boats for OKW!!

[dale99]

Time for larger boats at OKW!!
We have been members since 92 and OKW has more than doubled in size. I feel more families would use the boats to Downtown Disney, if they had a good chance of getting on without a long wait. The cost would not go up much if any, because it wouldn't take anymore cast members to run larger boats. The boats that Dixie Landing uses would be great, they take 20 people instead of 12. The larger boats will work because I have seen them used for dignitaries from our harbor. Lets all get together and get this changed. Maybe a petition drive might get the ball rolling. Let me know what you all think.

Thanks, Dale

 

[Peter Johnson]

I think that larger boats would be a great idea. Many times we've wanted to take the boat, but ended up driving or busing because the boat was full.

 

[disneyokw]

I put this question to everyone in my family. We all said the same thing. We LOVE the boat at OKW compare to the one at Port Orleans. More cozy, a true feel that you are on the lake with the wind blowing when a canopy is not up. More intimate. We have always waited for boat to return when it is full. We would rather take this size boat to Downtown Disney than the bus. This boat is one of the big things we love about this place. OLD Key West is perfectly fine for us.

 

[KyBill]

Larger boats would be nice. The present pontoons do not have a large enough gate to acomodate handicap with wheelchairs or sccoters. Also space on-board to park them.

 

[mitros]

Yes! we agree. A larger boat would make a big difference! Many a time we tried to take the boat, but because it is too small, it leaves a lot of people behind. We have given up trying to take it.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have rode on the boats from Dixie Landing and Port Orleans in the past. They are not the same as the ones we have at OKW for comfort. I would like to see them stop at the West Side as part of the regular trip also. I have mixed feelings about a larger boat. Right now the boats we have give us the best attraction at WDW as far as I am concerned.

 

[WOW]

I totally agree with disneyokw----we just love OKW boats. Even though it can be a pain to wait for them. They are very popular and once we almost got into a fight when someone tried to get in front of us so they could board. There wouldn't have been any room for us.

 

[PamOKW]

I would rather see an additional boat instead of the large ferry type boat that PO uses. I agree that not being able to ride is a problem but I would hate to lose that special touch. I also wonder whether a large boat could make it down the river and to the dock?

 

[BigTigger]

Unless they were out of service for repairs, PO had boats just like OKW when we were there in mid October. The PO schedule is also very abbreviated with boats only running 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM. It made the OKW schedule and lines semm very short by comparison.

 

[Dean]

I thought they'd already upgraded from the 12 person to the 16 person versions. I know this was reported as the plan a year and a half or so ago.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Either larger boats--or more of the smaller boats--would be nice. We don't ride any more either, after 3-4 attempts and not being able to get on. Of course a lot depends on timing--I've seen some boats leave OKW virtually empty.
As for comfort--it isn't that long a ride where the larger boat would make that much difference..to me, anyway.

 

[mitros]

maybe they can come up with some sort of reservation system? And if you didn't show up for your "priority boating" you would get 10 lashes with a wet pin collectors lanyard. But all kidding aside, it might work.

 

[ilovebwv]

If the boats are replaced with larger boats, who would be responsible for the cost? I hope not the members!! We never use the boats, we always drive our own car while at disney and we know we would not want to pay higher dues for bigger boats or more boats.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by ilovebwv
If the boats are replaced with larger boats, who would be responsible for the cost? I hope not the members!!

Yes, the members would be responsible (unless the Downtown Disney budget wanted to kick in funds because it bring additional "big spender" DVC members to Downtown Disney).

The real question is, what would be the incremental cost to members if larger boats were used? As dale99 noted, the labor costs would not go up if the schedule stayed the same. I don't know if the boats are owned or leased, but in either case, there would be some incremental increase in the annual cost for larger boats -- but the cost per available seat would actually be likely to go down with larger boats. I'd be in favor of larger boats.

On the other hand, increasing the schedule by adding another boat and driver would be quite costly because of the increased labor.